Haverhill

DiZoglio, Campbell and Minicucci Join Other Women Legislators With Concerns Over Abortion Decision

By |

Three of the region’s female legislators are joining 54 other women in expressing their opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn abortion rights. Sen. Diana DiZoglio and Reps. Linda Dean Campbell and Christina A. Minicucci joined the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators in a statement Monday calling the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision “deeply impactful to women in this country.”

“While members of the bipartisan and diverse Women’s Caucus have varied positions on the issue of choice, we do know that decisions about healthcare are best made between people and their doctors. We are committed to continuing to uplift the health and well-being of all women, recognizing the deep disparities that exist in our health care ecosystem, which are likely to grow even deeper in light of this decision.”

The Caucus also said overturning the right to abortion presents “significant economic consequences.”

The statement said access to reproductive health services remains legal in the Commonwealth, and the 57 legislators will continue to work with colleagues in state government to ensure “women and their health care needs are supported, affirmed and safe.”

The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is a group of the 60 women serving in the Massachusetts state House and Senate.

Education

Rep. Campbell Says Civics Education the Answer to Resolving Division in the Country

By |

Rep. Linda Dean Campbell told constituents in her most recent newsletter she and Sen. Harriette Chandler continue to advocate using state money to further the state’s nearly four-year-old Civics Education requirement. Campbell, who represents Methuen and Haverhill and is not seeking re-election, said Civics Education is part of the solution to end division in the country. “We have all experienced firsthand that our country feels more divided than ever, and so many good people are searching for ways to mend it back together,” she said, adding, “this is why civics education, especially for our young people, is so important.”

Campbell said the legislature committed $1.5 million for civics education in each of the past three state budgets. She said much of this funding goes directly to schools to help with implementation of the curriculum. Campbell, who called sponsoring the civics law one of her “proudest achievements,” provides a nonpartisan approach that includes educating students about the most important documents that frame the nation’s democracy, including the Constitution and amendments as well as the role of each branch of government, how to fact-check information and how to critically consume media.

Haverhill

State Senate Advances Haverhill Ward-Based Elections Bill to Third Reading

By |

The state Senate Thursday ordered Haverhill’s home rule petition for ward-based City Council and School Committee elections to move to its third reading—or just a couple of steps away from becoming law. Sen. Diana DiZoglio sponsored the petition in the Senate. Less than a month ago, the House, accepted the bill on its required third reading and passed it to the Senate. The home rule petition was presented by Rep. Andy X. Vargas in that branch of the legislature. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, as is likely, the bill amends the city charter providing for the election of city councilors and School Committee members primarily by wards rather than the current system where all are elected on an at-large basis.

Beacon Hill News

Factorial Receives $680,000 State Tax Credit for $45 Million Methuen Relocation and Expansion

By |

Factorial, a manufacturer of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, was approved Thursday for $680,000 in state investment tax credits as the company plans to invest $45 million in a Methuen building. The state Economic Assistance Coordinating Council approved the company’s participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program. Factorial plans to expand its research and development, manufacturing and headquarters at a 78,000-square-foot building at 501 Griffin Brook Drive. It was founded in 2019 and currently based in Woburn. Redevelopment plans construction space for operations, research and development, dry rooms, battery testing facilities and manufacturing.

Beacon Hill News

State Awards Community Compact Fiber Network Grants to Andover, Groveland and North Andover

By |

Andover, Groveland and North Andover will benefit from new or expanded fiber networks with grants presented Thursday by the state Community Compact Cabinet Municipal Fiber grant program. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was in Taunton to formally award $13 million in grants to benefit 86 communities and school districts for construction or completion of fiber networks. The cabling is aimed at creating more efficient management and economies of scale by aggregating internet bandwidth purchases and associated security. “Given the rapidly changing landscape of information technology and the infrastructure required to support it, these inaugural municipal fiber grants will make a significant impact on local communities and governments in better serving their residents,” said Polito, chair of the Community Compact Cabinet. Andover was awarded $250,000 to expand he town’s fiber network to water distribution system pumping stations, while Groveland received $47,500 to create a network and North Andover received $15,561 to expand its existing fiber optic system.

Haverhill

Haverhill’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Gets $10,000 Legislative Boost in Supplemental Budget

By |

Haverhill’s relocated Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mill Brook Park received a needed, but unexpected, boost recently when the legislature approved a $1.6 billion supplemental budget. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ad Hoc Commission Chairman Ralph T. Basiliere said Tuesday the new park still requires additional asphalt and concrete work, brick sealing along the walkways and tree pruning. Between the Veterans Memorial and buffer zone, Basiliere said the Commission has responsibility for about 46 trees. He thanked Sen. Diana DiZoglio for shepherding the additional $10,000 through the legislature. “Diana DiZoglio promised to see if she could get us funds—$10,000 for maintenance—and once again she has delivered.

Beacon Hill News

Vargas Says House Budget Earmarks Nearly $300,000 for Haverhill Building Projects

By |

The state House of Representatives Wednesday approved its version of spending plans, giving more than $300,000 in earmarks for Haverhill projects ranging from YMCA and Boys and Girls Club building plans to a new fountain at Gale Park. Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas said the spending plan for the year that begins July 1 gives Haverhill Public Schools an extra $8.9 million in state aid over the current year and, in his words, “does not raise taxes, and includes monumental investments in childcare, housing, workforce development and education.”

“We are so grateful for the continued support of Rep. Vargas and more specifically for the integral role he played in facilitating the $50,000 funding for a Capital Feasibility Study to explore the possibility of a much-needed new YMCA facility in Haverhill,” said YMCA Regional Executive Director Tracy Fuller.” She added, “Our health and wellness, camp and childcare programs are a critical resource to the Haverhill community and this feasibility study will further show the importance of investing in a new state-of-the-art Y facility that the people of Haverhill so deserve.”

If the plan is ultimately approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Charlie Baker, $30,000 would also be awarded to the Haverhill Boys & Girls Club Capital Campaign for a new building. “The recent earmark secured by Rep. Vargas will help improve our efforts in enhancing our program offerings to over 200 youth in the Haverhill Community. We thank him and his team for their commitment to helping build great futures,” said Javier Bristol, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill. Specifically, $50,000 was set aside for the Gale Park Restoration Project, which seeks to restore the park’s World War I monument, replace the damaged viewing plaza, restore name plates on the Spanish American war monument, build accessible walkways and replace the park’s broken water fountain.

Haverhill

Haverhill Council to Get Briefing on New State Law Requiring Multifamily Districts Near MBTA Stations

By |

Communities serviced by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, including commuter rail, are required to set aside one or more zoning districts of multifamily housing not more than a half mile from T stations. City Economic Development and Planning Director William Pillsbury Jr. is scheduled to address the Haverhill City Council tonight, presenting as the state requires, an overview of draft guidelines. “The brief presentation will summarize the draft guidelines and present a schedule to achieve final compliance,” Pillsbury said in a note to councilors Friday. The Housing Choice law, part of an economic development bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in January of 2021, requires multi-family housing be allowed by right with a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre and without age restrictions. Area MBTA communities, such as Haverhill, North Andover, Andover and Lawrence, that do not comply risk losing such state grants as the Housing Choice Initiative, Local Capital Projects Fund or MassWorks Infrastructure Program.